Notes from September 30

Expansion and Migration

Americans quickly settled west of the Appalachians
1810: 1/7 of the population
1840: 1/3 of the population
Several new states such as Ohio, Kentucky (Daniel Boone), and Tennessee
Fresh from his victory in New Orleans, General Andrew Jackson occupied part of Florida
Fur trading and farming led families farther

Native Americans

Policies toward natives change often in American history
In the early 1800s, the US government thought pushing natives westward was the best solution
--Savage
--Un-American
--Unable to adapt
Treaties signed between the US and natives either bought native land or guaranteed a native homeland elsewhere

The American System at work

National Road and other improved routes usually required tolls
River transportation: flatboats and steamboats
Robert Fulton's invention allowed boats to go upstream
Canals
Erie Canal connected the Atlantic to the West via the Great Lakes
Later replaced by steam-powered railroads

Election of 1824

Technically, Andrew Jackson was elected three times in a row
The Election of 1824 had four front runners
The House votes for President out of the top three candidates
“Corrupt Bargain:”
Henry Clay ran but came in fourth
Clay campaigned for John Quincy Adams in Congress
Adams won and picked Clay to be Secretary of State

Election of 1828

JQ Adams supported unpopular issues, such as the expansion of the federal government during a bad economy
By 1826, voters had elected more Jackson-like Congressmen
Jackson used big rallies, parties, and personality to gain votes
Jackson was the first president from the “West,” a military hero and self-made man

Jackson Administration Highlights

Openly supported the Spoils System
Replaced his cabinet within two years
Nullification:
An extreme reaction to “states' rights” debate
Belief that individual states can nullify (cancel) federal law
Southern states were upset about tariffs and anti-slavery laws
Written by John Calhoun, the Vice President. Jackson replaced him with Martin Van Buren, who helped his campaign for 1828

National Bank

Even with a National Bank, the US had depressions, recessions, and panics.
Republicans (Jeffersonians) used to be against the Bank, and many blamed the bank for all financial problems
“An obvious and telling objection to the Bank was simply that it possessed great power and privilege without being under popular control” (257)
Jackson vetoed the Bank's new charter

Whigs respond

Jackson placed US money in state banks
State banks then gave out risky loans
More money circulated, causing inflation
Bank of the US started calling in loans to retaliate, leading to a recession
Henry Clay tried to censure Jackson
Said pulling money out of the Bank was unconstitutional
Refused to confirm Jackson's secretary of the treasury
Those who censured Jackson evolved into the Whig party

“Whigs”

Name comes from an old English party who opposed royal power
Against Jackson's banking policies
Socially conservative
Anti-Masonry
Wanted traditional morals to be laws (Sabbath)
Mostly Protestant
Pro-States' Rights
“Positive liberal state:”
Government should support business that would help improve the economy
Democrats: “Negative liberal state” laissez-faire

Van Buren

Jackson picked long-time supporter Martin Van Buren to run for president
Whigs: South. Democrats (Jeffersonian Republicans): South and North
Quickly, the economy falls apart. Van Buren is blamed
William Henry Harrison, “Tippecanoe,” is elected next. He was the only Whig to win a presidency
“Second Party System”

Democracy in America

White America evolved into a distinct, egalitarian culture separate from Europe
No inherited social status
“equality of opportunity” (e.g. Jackson)
Similar dress and speech in all classes
Politicians and church leaders needed to impress the public to keep power
“Popular sovereignty”
1st Amendment rights lead to better journalism and open debate. Literacy rises
Romanticism emphasizes everyday life

Democracy

In the early 1800s, “democracy” meant that all public institutions were ruled by the people
More state electors were chosen by popular vote
Percentage of voters tripled for Presidential elections
Interesting campaigns
Real differences in political parties
Economic Panic of 1819 made more people debate government policy
Money was hard to come by